Welcome to the Runners of HOU Podcast! I'm your host, Vicky Oddi, and I'm here to share the the stories of the runners in and around the Greater Houston Area. The goal is to make this a weekly podcast, so be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify or however you get your podcasts.
The Extra Mile: NYC Marathon, Runner Safety & the Strava Time Debate
The 2026 New York City Marathon delivered an unforgettable finish, with American Jess McClain taking second in the women’s race and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren winning in his marathon debut. But the weekend also brought heartbreaking news for the running community.
This week on The Extra Mile, I’m recapping the NYC results, remembering Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean and marathon runner Rachel Apa, and discussing the death of Katie Suarez and the ongoing concerns surrounding women’s running safety.
We’re also diving into the Strava versus chip time debate. When your GPS watch shows a faster marathon than your official race result, which time counts? And where’s the line between celebrating an accomplishment and misrepresenting a result?
Plus, an update on my CIM training, joining the Houston Harriers, and upcoming Houston races, including the inaugural Third Ward Mile.
In this episode:
CIM training: treadmill miles, an accidental progression run, and the Houston Harriers
Jess McClain’s NYC podium finish and Andreas Almgren’s marathon debut
Remembering Ciara Mageean and Rachel Apa
Katie Suarez and women’s running safety
The Strava versus chip time controversy
Upcoming Houston races and the inaugural Third Ward Mile
The increasingly difficult NYC Marathon lottery
Chapters
00:02 — Welcome to The Extra Mile
00:40 — CIM training update: treadmill miles and the Houston Harriers
03:25 — NYC Marathon: Jess McClain’s thrilling finish and Andreas Almgren’s debut
05:35 — Remembering Ciara Mageean and Phily Bowden’s emotional marathon
07:35 — Rachel Apa’s tragic death during the NYC Marathon
08:45 — Katie Suarez and women’s running safety
11:40 — Strava versus chip times: What counts as your real PR?
17:15 — Around HOU: Houston 25K and the inaugural Third Ward Mile
18:45 — Houston 30K and the NYC Marathon lottery
19:40 — Closing thoughts
Follow Runners of HOU on Instagram @runnersofhou for more running stories, Houston race updates, and podcast news.
New episodes of The Extra Mile every Friday.
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2 Nov 2026
Hydration, Fueling, & Running in the Heat with Dr. Vijay Jotwani
How much water do runners actually need? Are electrolytes necessary? And does training through a Houston summer really make you a stronger runner?
This week on Runners of HOU, host Vicky Oddi sits down with Dr. Vijay Jotwani, a sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist who works with athletes ranging from recreational runners to professional sports teams, including the Houston Astros and Rice University Athletics.
They discuss the science behind hydration and fueling, why Houston’s heat and humidity make running so challenging, and how runners can prepare for races in cooler conditions.
They also cover electrolyte supplements, sodium intake, fueling with gels and gummies, caffeine and pre-workout, and the warning signs of heat-related illness.
Plus, Dr. Jotwani weighs in on some common running myths, including whether thirst means you’re already dehydrated, whether every runner needs electrolytes, and whether treadmill training is a good alternative to running in the heat.
The biggest takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hydration and nutrition. Learning what works for your body is an important part of becoming a stronger, healthier runner.
Please note: This episode provides general information from a sports medicine perspective and is not intended as individualized medical or nutritional advice. Consult a healthcare professional or registered sports dietitian for recommendations specific to your needs.
In This Episode:
00:00 – Introduction: Hydration, fueling and running in Houston
01:16 – Meet Dr. Vijay Jotwani
03:32 – Hydration Basics
06:15 – Electrolytes, Sodium & Overhydration
10:35 – Running in Houston's heat & humidity
13:45 – Treadmill training & heat illness
17:10 – Fueling for long runs & marathons
23:30 – Recovery nutrition & race preparation
26:50 – Caffeine & pre-workout
29:45 – Running myths: fact or fiction?
34:45 – Final advice for runners
About Our Guest
Dr. Vijay Jotwani is a board-certified, fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist. He specializes in the medical and nonoperative orthopedic care of athletes and active individuals.
He serves as a team physician for the Houston Astros, Rice University Athletics, Houston Ballet and RodeoHouston, and works with U.S. Soccer.
Connect with Runners of HOU
If you enjoy Runners of HOU, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. It helps other runners discover the show.
Instagram - @runnersofhou (https://www.instagram.com/runnersofhou/)
Instagram - @vickyoddi (https://www.instagram.com/vickyoddi/)
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30 Oct 2026
The Extra Mile: Nike After Dark, Valencia & Knowing When to Stop
How do you know when to push through a difficult run and when it’s smarter to call it a day?
After completing her longest run in three years, Vicky is navigating the challenges of marathon training at 45, returning from injury, and figuring out how to balance progress with staying healthy for December’s California International Marathon.
Plus, there’s plenty happening in the running world this week. Why are men participating in Nike’s After Dark race series, an event designed to celebrate women? American women deliver impressive performances at the Valencia Half Marathon, while Austin-born Yaseen Abdalla runs faster than the American record — but isn’t eligible to claim it.
Vicky also discusses the provisional suspension of Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, remembers legendary running coach Frank Gagliano, and previews two upcoming races in the Houston Marathon warm-up series.
In this episode:
Knowing when to push through a tough run — and when to stop
Nike After Dark LA and the debate over men participating in women-centered races
Emily Venters and Allie Ostrander’s Valencia Half Marathon performances
Why Yaseen Abdalla’s 59:12 isn’t an American record
Peres Jepchirchir’s provisional suspension
Remembering coach Frank “Gags” Gagliano
Houston 25K and Coach Andy Stewart’s 30K
Episode Chapters
00:01 — Welcome to The Extra Mile
00:48 — CIM training: When is enough enough?
02:24 — Discomfort vs. pain and knowing when to stop
03:40 — Nike After Dark LA: Why are men participating?
04:49 — When is men’s participation appropriate?
06:15 — Valencia Half Marathon: American women’s performances
07:10 — Yaseen Abdalla runs faster than the American record
08:15 — Rodrigue Kwizera and record eligibility
08:40 — Peres Jepchirchir’s provisional suspension
09:30 — Doping and its impact on elite running
10:05 — Remembering legendary coach Frank Gagliano
11:05 — Around HOU: Houston 25K and Coach Andy Stewart’s 30K
Connect with Runners of HOU
Follow @runnersofhou on Instagram for more running stories, Houston race updates, and weekly episodes of The Extra Mile.
Have thoughts on Nike After Dark, the performances in Valencia, or knowing when to stop a run? Send @runnersofhou a DM!
If you enjoy Runners of HOU, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. It helps other runners discover the show.
Instagram - @runnersofhou (https://www.instagram.com/runnersofhou/)
Instagram - @vickyoddi (https://www.instagram.com/vickyoddi/)
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Facebook Group - Runners of HOU Friends (https://www.facebook.com/groups/runnersofhou)
Sign up for the newsletter! (https://runnersofhou.substack.com/welcome)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
4.5 / 5
6 ratings
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